where i ramble on whatever i feel like….

The forest was unfriendly, and wild, and to Kunti, used as she was to a life in a palace, this place seemed like an enemy. An enemy that sought not just to make life difficult, but which sought to end that very life. Time spent in the forest had not dimmed her dislike if it … More Chapter Eighteen

The streets were decorated with flowers and garlands hung at every corner. The whole city wore a festive atmosphere. Hastinapura was decked out like a new bride. There were celebrations at the palace too. Designs of flowers and coloured powders added to the decorations. “What’s the celebrations for?” Vasushena asked Radha as he helped her … More Chapter Seventeen

There was a nip in the air that day. The corridor through which King Dhritarashtra was led to his chambers by Vidura, was open on one side. It was partly a balcony that ran through the outer perimeter of the palace, before it made a right turn to enter the palace. The King and the … More Chapter Sixteen

The forest glade was quiet. The dasis and dasas were all asleep. The fire that was built in the centre of the clearing to keep away the animals was still burning brightly. One of the dasas wrapped in a blanket sat near it, to stoke it and to replenish it with firewood. In the large … More Chapter Fifteen

It was a warm day. There was a large area near the river which the children had earmarked for their playground. The girls had marked one corner for their own and the boys another. There was a common area, where both together had planted a garden. The children had marked the area for their own … More Chapter Fourteen

The palace of Hastinapura was glinting in the sun, though the glint did not affect the people gathered in its courtyard. The pavilion that was erected kept the sun from the assembled crowd, and the royal pavilion was shady enough for the newly crowned King and Queen of Hastinapura. Dhritarashtra sat erect on the throne, … More Chapter Thirteen

Night was falling when a stranger approached the gates of Hastinapura. He was dark, not very tall, but not short either, and wore the red robes of a sage. He was adorned with bracelets of Rudraksha beads while a long chain of Rudraksha beads hung down to his navel. His Uttariya was wrapped around his … More Chapter Twelve

Atiratha made his way home, feeling more tired than usual. He was longing to see his family again. The streets of Hastinapura were deserted. The city was in mourning. Atiratha had feared that he would never be able to see his family again. But fortunately, such a situation did not come to pass. The Sutas … More Chapter Eleven

The night was sultry. Not an occasional breeze stirred the curtains in the royal apartments, or caused the flames of the burning torches or the lamps to flicker. The King of Hastinapura stood on the balcony, and surveyed his Kingdom, a twisted smile on his lips. Pandu was a tall man, and though he looked … More Chapter Ten